I would like to hear opinions on all the other Giant fans out there. These bikes are all about the same range (trance and reign $2400/ reign X1 $2600). In looking to compare bikes I would like you to please omitting the wheelsets because I am going to dress whatever bike I get with Mavic 729s w/ XT hubs.

Your weight and height are identical to mine. Forget about using a dirt bike for commuting. Do you use your motocrosser to go to the market to get groceries? Use the proper tool for the proper job.

Giant basically builds bikes to fill a price point niche. Some of the components you get will be junk, to reach that bargain price point. The only way to do it right is to build the bike yourself. Get yourself a bomber wheel set with FreeRide hubs with your weight, you'll need it, as well as 8" rotors, all the way around.

I would like to hear opinions on all the other Giant fans out there. These bikes are all about the same range (trance and reign $2400/ reign X1 $2600). In looking to compare bikes I would like you to please omitting the wheelsets because I am going to dress whatever bike I get with Mavic 729s w/ XT hubs.

At 6' 5" you're way larger than the range speced for their large bikes which usually only go up to 6' 0".

A large giant MIGHT fit you, but I doubt it.

I'm 6'3" and find the Large X1 just large enough, and I tend to like smaller bikes.

Also remember that Giant doesn't give a rats ass about real geometry charts. Their 20 inch frames are actually 19 inches. One of many reasons I'm turned off by Giant now, even though their bikes ride like a dream. A 19 inch frame isn't going to cut it for 6'5" esp when is doesn't have a lot of seat post adjustability room. With enough seat post for full extension on mine, I have 3 inches sticking up with it fully slammed, so not getting the lowest possible for DH.

At your size and weight I highly suggest looking at another brand. If money isn't an issue, Turner is known for making the best XL frames for larger riders.

For drops of 5 feet or less, I'd recommend a Reign, splits the difference between the other two quite nicely and has the geometry relaxed enough to give you the stability desired when jumping off stuff.

Before all the comments start flying thick and fast, from your intentions and what you are saying as well as your wheelset choice, I think the GTrance is out of the picture completely, especially with 5ft drops/ jumps etc etc.

Therefore the GR is your best bet, like you said you are a larger/ taller rider so the XL is another safe bet - you do not need turner!!!!, although that IS an option. But when you say things like

Drops and jumps will all me less than 5 feet

then I assume you will be doing things AROUND-ABOUT that kind of level and therefore the Trance is not even close to that catagory (although high level rideres DO use them for that) and the Reign was designed to be near that. Again, technically the GRX was designed to be 5ft dropper beast, but the Reign may be your best bet after coming from a HT.

Just my OP so take it with a pinch of salt, but take what you need.

Originally Posted by [COLOR=red

Hobberz18[/COLOR]]I compared the geometry to that of my XTC and they are very similar. I would be getting the "XL" not the large. I have the XTC XL now without a problem. My inseam is 38 inches, have a longer torso.

Drops and jumps will all me less than 5 feet.

I do not have the money to do a build but recently started looking at the Iorn Horse MKIII and Kona Dawg Deluxe